The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-06-08
Household Trials.
BY mount HoLYoKE sEM1NAR1AN"

Mr.. Editor After reading about the
trials and hardships of our less fortu-
nate beings, the thought comes
to be wish that something might be
done for their relief, though in some
instances what seems hardship for
one is for another a necessity. The
burning of green wood would be unen-
durable to some, and such would usu-
ally find way to avoid it; but take the
burden from others and time would
hang heavy on their hands, they not
knowing how to utilize it-perhaps
not in every case, but sometimes. And
there are those who waste quantities of
nice dry wood by leaving all the drafts
and hampers of the stove wide open
who will burn kindlings enough at one
lighting to serve for half dozen, and
then complain of the scarcity of dry
wood. Forethought is needed in order
to be forehanded. Our trials are some
times brought upon us by our own in
discretion. Those fathers who do not
provide well for the daughters who are
needed at home are behind the times.
But all are not needed who stay. Some
are inefficient and could not command
good pay even if they should conde-
scend to occupy the position of house
maid elsewhere. And there are those
who overwork at home who might get
fair wages and have more leisure away
doing the same kind of work, but they
will not have the name of it. There
are families who would welcome re-
liable, honest, Christian women, giving
them the advantages of a good Chris
tan home besides paying them wages.
There are difficulties in the way of adj
justing these matters, but if the House
hold department could help in any way
towards "setting the solitary in fami-
lies it might be the means of doing
even more good than by publishing
the new ways of making cake and
candy, though these are by no means
undervalued by the young people and
their mothers.
REMARKs.-If all people were alike it
would be one of the easiest things in
the world to make paper, for then all
would like the same things and those
things only would go to make up its
columns. But unfortunately for editors)
not all people are alike, and differ as
widely in their tastes as in their appear
ance. One reader wants more poetry,
another more directions for fancy work {;
another wants to know where all the
nice recipes for cooking are gone to.
Some want more " solid matter" some
want more fun" have sober, hard
work times enough without getting it
hashed over in the paper" The best
way we can think of is for each one to
write of what most interests that one,
and be sure there will be responsive
chords touched in other hearts. All the
same, differences exist in peoples
characters as in their tastes. While
some fathers live for their children and
are happy in doing for them, loving and
caring for almost for the one who
needs it most, and sometimes least APP
preciates and repays the work and love
there will be others who selfishly care
for themselves or some favored one.
So with girls. Some are jewels of
thoughtfulness, industry, taste, good
sense; some lack these desirable quail.
ties, are needless burden to their pa
rents, and will, if they ever marry, be
burden rather than help to the man
who is unfortunate enough to get
caught by them. What, then, is the
use of all this writing? Simply this
that some man who does not care fol
his daughter as he should, some mother
who drudges that her daughter may
grow up useless, vain, shallow dress
makers dummy, some daughter who
thoughtlessly allows her mother to slave
for her, some young man who is taking
short cut to the devil, may perhaps
see the mirror held up to nature ant
change their course for the better. This
with some sympathy for sore anC
lonely heart, some words of cheer TO-
the respondent, some loving word TO
the solitary and sad one, this is small
part of what we would like the House
hold to do and to be. Our readers car
help to make it so, and whatever inter
ests you, dear reader, will interest som,
one else, and so all will get supply anc
none will be left unfed.
Profitable Experiences and Remarks,